Now the news: Jerry Manuel is concerned about John Maine and the pitcher could end up being shut down for the rest of the season due to a bone spur in his pitching shoulder, the manager said before today's game.

"He's different than what he was earlier in the season, as far as velocity,'' Manuel, the Mets' interim manager said in his pre-game briefing.

Manuel said "it's a possibility'' when asked if Maine might be removed from the rotation and added, "if we do it, it would be a complete shutdown.''

Maine, the pitcher of record in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Astros, will throw a side session this week, and after that the Mets will make a decision as to whether to go forward with his next start (scheduled for Saturday) in Florida.

"We want to do what's best for John Maine and we want to do what's best for the team,'' Manuel said. "We're in a pennant race.''

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Also, 2B Luis Castillo has not yet been activated, though Manuel said that move could happen within the next few days - possibly as soon as Monday. Someone - most likely Argenis Reyes - would have to be sent down to the minors to make room for Castillo on the 25-man roster.